Redevelopment the right way!

As a society we are quick to point out mistakes but pass over the praise. The redevelopment of the Chasan Building on 407-13 Broadway and Fourth Street in downtown Troy is a good example of things being done right – and so the praise.

Joe Nicola and Columbia Development with RPI have been working for several weeks now in rehabing what is known in recent times as the Chasan Building (1939-2012) but more accurately Green’s Building (1920’s to about 1939) and before that and originally the Curtis & Rickerson Building.

Curtis & Rickerson, 1886. From City of Troy and Vicinity.

Montgomery G. Curtis and Seward Rickerson were manufacturers of harness and horse goods and dealers in carriage and saddlery hardware. The business originally began by John Connolly in the same building in 1857, who in 1869 with Montgomery G. Curtis formed the firm of Connolly and Curtis. When Connolly’s son, Edward J. Connolly entered the business in 1872 the name was changed to Connolly’s and Curtis. From January 1, 1879 to February 1, 1886, Montgomery G. Curtis individually conducted the business and then entered in to the partnership of Curtis and Rickerson.

The company represented the Curtis Randall Manufacturing Company who were makers of popular whip sockets and fastenings, invented and patented by P.D. Randall, who had his manufactory in the Chamberlin Building on the SE corner of (914) River and Cemetery Ave. (near Present St. Basil’s Church). P.D. Randall also owned half interest in the Carriage Dealer’s Journal in 1892. In 1895 he was part owner of the Bicycle Journal as well.

The Chasan Building is one of the first buildings in Troy to have a cast iron store front. Cast iron for architectural purposes became popular in the 1850s particularly after so many cities had devastating fires (Troy in 1820, 1854, and 1862) and the 1857 date for this building plus the fact that the remaining part of the original cast iron store front was made by Starbuck Brothers on Center Island give the building added historical significance.

The foundry building sold various parts used in the construction of wagons and carriages and parts for the the making of harnesses. They sold double and single harness, riding saddles, carriage and sleigh robes, horse blankets, flynets, whips, sleigh bells, stable furniture, trunks, travelling bags, ice and roller skates, and other items. They were also the sole agents for the sale of Powell & Smith’s patent horse-tail holder and made Coy’s patent ring reins.

In the early days of iron front construction they used wood beams across the facade in which the vertical cast iron pillars were attached. On the east end of the Broadway side, several original columns and the wooden beam still exist. I was told by Joe Nicola that he was going to mimic the original facade (probably out of wood since there are no architectural cast iron foundries within miles of here anymore). Starbuck was in operation from 1854-1884. There are only three other Starbuck fronts in the entire Capital District and this one is probably one of the first constructed in the area.

Joe also confirmed that even though they were told by state preservationists that they did not have to redo the original arched entrance on the Broadway side, they did it anyway. Kudos to Columbia for doing the right thing. In effect they are bringing the building back to its original form.

Troy has many original buildings that have had garbage facades placed on them over the years and several are in the process of being brought back to original form. If this continues, Troy can serve as a model to other older communities how to bring economic development back to their area without destroying their historic fabric. Rather, this is proving that economic development and historic preservation go hand in hand.

Original cast iron front on Chasan Building. Photo by Don Rittner.

Cast iron column detail. Photo by Don Rittner.

Detail of wooden beam holding cast iron column. This is the earliest and first technique to attach cast iron fronts. Photo by Don Rittner.

Detail of Starbuck Brothers name plate on iron column. Photo by Don Rittner.

Columbia is duplicating the design elements of the original cast iron front as shown here with the wooden replica. Photo by Don Rittner.

Even though not required, Columbia is bringing back the original arched entrance in essence restoring the original building design of the 19th century. Photo by Don Rittner.

Starbuck Brothers foundry on Center Island in 1862. Photo LOC.

Don Rittner

4 Responses

Thank you, Don Rittner for the excellent article, Redevelopment the Right Way. It was not only informative about new developments, but interestingly educational with historical facts. The pictures were a wonderful addition too. Not knowing anything about this project or the developers, I appreciated your acknowledgments the parties that are rehabbing.

Due to your article, I will never look at this building (pre/post rehab) or any other the same way again. I am more appreciative of the original structure and the effort guidance/direction provided by State preservationists.

They may know already, but let them know there are restorative epoxies out there that can help rebuild damaged original wood in place, so it doesnt have to be removed. Look online, or try Allerdice, who participated in a restoration showcase in Saratoga some years back.